What is Concrobium Mold Control?
In several articles on the web, readers have been advised on how to create their own mold killer products from natural ingredients, such as borax or essential oils. There is even advise on how to concoct a DIY laundry detergent, as well as some insight into the effectiveness of antifungal supplements and antifungal diets. This is quite possibly because many commercial mold removal products are ineffective and equally—if not more—hazardous to the consumer’s health. Over the past few years, however, one product in particular—Concrobium Mold Control—has held the attention of mold remediation experts. Could this product be as effective against mold as it claims to be?
Currently, Concrobium offers three mold removal products, two of which target superficial and embedded mold stains, as well as provide a mold-preventing layer on a variety of surfaces, including decks and housing exteriors. While all three products contain the same chief ingredients and serve similar purposes, the only product being explored today is the one that’s been specifically hailed as a mold killer: Mold Control.
The makers of Concrobium Mold Control claim that their product is “innovative,” “market-leading,” and that it “effectively eliminates existing mold, prevents mold re-growth and eliminates musty odors with no harmful chemicals.” They go on to add that it accomplishes all this with “no bleach, ammonia or VOCs,” but that it “works as it dries by crushing the mold spores at the roots and leaving behind an invisible antimicrobial barrier to prevent future mold growth.” They conclude by inviting potential consumers to “trust Concrobium products to remove mold quickly and safely with no bleach or other harmful chemicals.”
The validity of their claims and the foundation of your trust as consumers in this specific mold killer and Concrobium’s other mold removal products must be based on the efficacy of their ingredients, which is precisely what will be discussed next.
Concrobium Mold Control Ingredients
Concrobium Mold Control is a patented solution comprised of purified water, sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and trisodium phosphate. Together, this unique, tri-salt (three salts) polymer is intensely alkaline (not acidic), which holds great advantage over mold.
Mold mirrors the human body in that it prefers a specific balance between acidity and alkalinity. Both thrive between 6.5 and 7.5 on the pH scale, but mold can sustain itself between level 2 and 9. Anything below 6.5 is considered acidic, while anything above 7.5 is considered increasingly alkaline. Concrobium Mold Control reaches a pH balance of 11+, which (considering the highest level is a 14) makes this quite a mighty alkaline mold killer solution. While mold may lie dormant for a time in an acidic environment, it cannot survive long in one of high alkalinity, which is one reason why so many antifungal diets prescribe to alkaline foods.
Furthermore, once this tri-salt polymer is sprayed on the mold itself, it begins to dry. The solution’s molecules dehydrate and pull in on each other, which crushes the existing mold spores and their colonies. Even when the solution has dried and remains in place over the mold-affected area for several months, it continues to leave a lasting alkaline barrier that prevents the possibility of mold regrowth. This aligns precisely with what the company claims.
How to Use Concrobium Mold Control
Getting rid of mold with Concrobium Mold Control is so simple that, even in their 3-minute instructional video, it takes only about 40 seconds for them to explain how to clean mold with their product. The other 2+ minutes are dedicated to general mold awareness and methods to eliminate moisture.
As always, if you find mold in your home and you intend to use any type of product on it, you will need to be sure you have taken the necessary steps to not only begin the process of getting rid of mold, but also the process of preventing mold in the future. This begins with moisture control, which you can read about here.
Once you have remedied any excessive moisture and removed the area of dirt and other debris, you can now focus on how to clean mold with Concrobium Mold Control:
Step 1: Apply a thin, even layer over the mold-affected area.
Step 2: Allow to dry completely.
Step 3: With a dampened cloth or brush, scrub the surface to clean away any remaining mold stains and residue.
Step 4: If necessary, repeat on tough mold infestations.
Step 5: To prevent future mold growth, reapply another thin, even layer on vulnerable surfaces and refrain from wiping.
Concrobium Mold Control Reviews
Years ago, a writer at MoldBlogger received Concrobium Mold Control to test on mold. Unfortunately, no moldy opportunity reared its ugly head. Disappointment in a lack of a mold problem might seem a little ironic, but the chance to discover a commercial mold killer that actually works would have been a great find.
Thankfully, there is a multitude of other consumers who have provided ample testimony over the years. Most swear by the efficacy of Concrobium’s claims, while a small number have raised questions about the ingredients themselves. Some have falsely assumed that Mold Control is merely a bottle of water and baking soda, but that simply isn’t true. As stated prior, Concrobium has devised a specific measurement of three different salts. Without that tri-salt polymer combination, Mold Control would not have the same alkalizing effect that it does. Baking soda alone could not at all achieve the success that thousands have claimed they’ve had with this solution, which is why you won’t find an article on MoldBlogger that claims that only baking soda and water will solve your mold problems.
As one reviewer on Amazon states: “While some people are quick to point out that the only active ingredient is sodium carbonate, which does act as an ionic “drying agent,” if you look at the SDS—which is provided on Concrobium’s website—you can clearly see a proprietary blend of 1–5% trisodium phosphate, which is extremely caustic and is doing the actual “mold remediation” during the application of this product.” —Jim
More Amazon Reviews:
Home Depot Reviews:
Concrobium Website Reviews:
MoldBlogger Review:
Where to Find Concrobium Mold Control
Concrobium Mold Control is available from hardware and farm supply stores, such as Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, and Tractor Supply. You can also purchase it from a third party on Amazon. Depending on what the size of the infestation and the mold-cleaning methods you choose, you will want to read the instructions carefully. Some areas and methods call for nothing more than a sponge and their 32. oz. spray bottle. Other, more expansive cases, may call for the need for a Concrobium Mold Control fogger.
Concluding Thoughts on Concrobium Mold Control
While there is no guarantee that you will have success with Concrobium Mold Control on every mold situation you encounter, the ingredients and testimonies themselves support the idea that this is the very first commercial mold killer that can live up to its claims. As mold removal products go, the simple ingredients in Concrobium Mold Control far surpass any others that have been reviewed by mold experts who care not only about eliminating mold, but also protecting their readers from the harsh effects of mold-killing chemicals. Not only are they less harmful than other mold killer products that usually only combine bleach, they’re effective where it matters most—the very cells and roots of the mold.
If you’re willing to give Concrobium Mold Control a try on your mold problems, please share your experience in the comments below. Your testimony with this and any other mold-fighting solution on MoldBlogger is very important to other readers who are suffering from mold.
For more information regarding mold, mold prevention, and mold solutions, please check out the rest of MoldBlogger.com.
Article by Amanda Demsky from the Moldblogger team.
8 comments
we got water in our basement a couple of months ago, from a sewer backup. from the drain in the basement in the laundry room, we painted the floor, we didnt notice there was a white fuzzy stuff on the floor, we sprayed it with the concrobium liquid but it seems to keep coming back, and the paint was also bubbling, i have put bleach on it as well and sanded it. we are at our wits end, its not all over the floor just in certain parts.
Other label it says sodium carbonate it doesn’t list the other ingredients. But it seems to work temporarily you still need to clean the water leak and deal with the moisture problem.
“Concrobium Mold Control is a patented solution comprised of purified water, sodium carbonate (washing soda), sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and trisodium phosphate. “
Unfortunately, if you painted over the mold spores, it’s now growing happily UNDER the paint causing the bubbling. When you sand it, you are releasing the spores into the air to spread elsewhere. In this case, investing in a good dehumidifier and keeping the basement under 50% might be what you need. Fogging with Concrobium and using a dehumidifier may enough to stop any further action from becoming a requirement. Foggers can be rented from many home improvement stores.
Concrobium won’t work under the paint, and it can’t do anything if the humidity is high. If the paint keeps bubbling, either call a remediation expert (expensive), or seal the area off very well with tape and plastic sheeting. Wear protective clothes, a good respirator, eye goggles and remove the paint and dispose of without contaminating anywhere else with the dust/paint/spores. Use Concrobium, let dry, then apply Zinsser Mold Killing Primer. Repaint with an antimicrobial paint, or use an antimicrobial paint additive prior to painting. Then to guarantee it stays gone, continue to use a good dehumidifier.
I tried Concrobium on embedded black mold on the rough interior of my fiberglass sailboat. To my utter amazement it worked! I scrubbed it in with a stiff wire brush and wiped it down with rags and the black mold is gone! Since no other product out of all the others I’ve tried had worked well I wasn’t too optimistic about concrobium but thought I’d at least try it….totally satisfied customer here!
Help….just addressed slightly moldy fir trim that had been finished with a penetrating oil with Concrobium…looks like the finish has been compromised…thinking of sealing with a satin finish poly…how should I proceed ?
How would I proceed if I wanted to reapply the oil finish ?
Also a painted dresser, also treated…the “second coat” of Concrobium has a hazy look to it, not “clean”…how do resolve this ?
I used Concrobium in a crawl space. It is an exceptional product. I agree with the “concluding thoughts” 100%. It is fantastic to have a product that non only REALLY works, but is also relatively safe, and has a lasting/protective affect. It is excellent. I believe that SO MANY of the negative comments are from people who do not understand that simply applying it typically WILL NOT CHANGE THE (to the eye) APPEARANCE OF THE MOLD, and so they assume it did not work. In one of the negative reviews, the Concrobium rep. whoe responded explained how it works clearly, but they labels are not as clear when explaining this particular point. The chemistry is completely sound, but people want to “see” the change. I love the product.
The MSDS lists “Trisodium phosphate” as 1-5% of the solution.
In a 1% solution, the pH is 12 (i.e., very basic).
Mold does not like basic solutions. That is why laundering with BORAX or Oxyclean is good.
Therefore, I believe this works. Penetration would be my main concern, but fogging (which I have done) seems to allow the air to be better.
Note: Vinegar is acidic. Mixing Vinegar + basic solutions = neutral pH. So pick one. Don’t mix thinking the more is better because it is not.
Yea our company just bought a fogger. We have used this product and it seems to be effective. I think we will continue to use it. It has excellent reviews as well. It’s a great option for consumers. Thanks for the article.